Lubelso by Canny – New Homes Guide – The Age14 November 2016

BUILDER THAT’S CANNY BY NAME AND NATURE

The market is looking for high quality that’s efficient, writes The Age’s Alice Archer.

Soaring land prices in Melbourne prompted prestige homebuilder Canny to re-think its focus on custom designs.

“There’s been a shift away from custom designed homes over the past five years because people don’t want to wait up to four years to move into their new home,” says Canny chief executive officer Greg Davy. “And, with land prices spiking, people don’t want to be spending the extra $200,000 or more on custom design.”

Davy says it was the company’s founder, Damian Canny, who recognized the need for pre-designed architectural homes to satisfy an increasing demand for high-end homes from time-poor professionals.

“Damian has more than 20 years’ experience building luxury homes and he knows what the market is looking for. He worked with Canny’s architects and they came up with the Lubelso Range by Canny. So, customers get the wow factor and design integrity of an architect-designed home with every conceivable luxury, at a fixed price. People don’t have endless budgets, they like the certainty of a fixed price. There’s no cost blowouts, hidden extras and the building can start almost immediately. The construction time for the Lubelso is usually between 10 and 12 months.”

From the moment you enter the Lubelso display home at Brighton, it’s obvious an architect has designed the project and no expense has been spared.

An over-sized pivot door glides open to reveal a front entrance of vast proportions, backlit with natural light via a full-height window.

You are immediately struck by the abundance of space, extensive use of glazing and the clever layout which leads you from the foyer, past a study, walk-in arrivals room (with ample storage for everyone’s bags, coats and apparel) and along a wide hallway which opens to the main living area.

Davy says some builders skimp on space in the entrance area and hallway to allow extra space in the living areas. “We don’t do that, every room is perfectly proportioned. Our designs are also distinguished by vast expanses of glazing on the north side. It’s a design feature we’re big on – it invites the outside in, adding to the home’s livability.”

Another Canny hallmark is the all-inclusive price. “If you talk to anyone who has built a home, their biggest grievances are the things that haven’t been included in the price. We come from the other direction where everything is included,” says Davy.

“What you see [as displayed] is what you get – double-glazing throughout, all the cabinetry in the storage areas, the high quality tapware, lighting, natural stone benchtops. All those things you would expect as optional extras are standard,” he says, such as ducted reverse-cycle heating and cooling with linear slot diffusers; two Rinnai hot water services; Fermax Intercom system with colour monitors; Paradox Security system; under-floor heating in the master en suite and family bathroom.

The double-storey contemporary home has three integrated living zones, four bedrooms, a study, covered outdoor living area, butler’s pantry, an arrivals room and a large garage with space for two Range Rovers and a hobby car.

The Lubelso display home in New Street, Brighton, has a contemporary facade, one of five choices. As displayed, the 488-square-metre house, excluding site costs and pool, is $1.35 million.